The Tigers (9-12, 2-3 Class 7A, Area 7) held off the Crimson Panthers (10-14, 3-2) down the stretch. With the score tied 47-47, Grissom’s Jacob Thorington scored the go-ahead bucket with 43 seconds remaining. The Tigers held on with stiff defense and clutch free throws from Xavier Griffith in the final seconds.

Following four lead changes in the first quarter, Grissom led 13-8 at the end of the quarter. Huntsville went ahead 26-25 just before the clock expired at halftime.

Grissom led by as many as nine points (41-32) midway through the third quarter.

Game ball: Griffith picked his team up in the final seconds with four clutch free throws to seal the win. He finished with a game-high 22 points.

Play of the game: Two qualify this game. Grissom’s Jerwuan Thomas made a key steal on a Huntsville breakaway when the Panthers had momentum. Huntsville would have tied the score 46-46. The other was Thorington’s weak-side rebound and put-back to give the Tigers the lead for good.

Stat sheet: Grissom’s Jervae Peters added 19 points. He was leading all scorers before fouling out with 4:27 left in the game. John Cole Norris led Huntsville with 19 points.

Coachspeak: “We were able to control the tempo this game. We talk all the time about not getting sped up by teams that are bigger and faster than us. We were able to run our stuff under control. They played really well but we knew we had to get out on their shooters this game. Our kids were just looking for a little revenge. They knew we played bad the first game.” – Grissom coach Jake Moran

They said it ... : “I told the team to get looking forward and not to worry about two of our starters going out; just keep pushing forward and we got the job done.” -- Griffith

“Even though I went out early, I still wanted to be a leader from the sideline. Throughout the rest of the game, I was still talking to my team and picking them up. I knew my boy 'X' (Griffith) would come through at the foul line.” -- Peters

What’s next?: Both teams play in the Marvin Stone Classic on Monday at UAH. Grissom plays Bessemer City at 4:30 p.m. Huntsville faces Decatur Heritage at 6.

Grissom 13 12 16 12 -- 53

Huntsville 8 18 9 15 -- 50

Following is a roundup of Thursday and Friday games in the Huntsville Region. To be included in future roundups, coaches should send scores and stats to dboyette@al.com on game night.

Player stats are points, unless noted.

BOYS

Lee-Huntsville 70, Buckhorn 50

LHS (19-6): Kobe Brown, 30.

BHS (20-5): Kuran Garner, 15.

Note: Buckhorn led by eight in the first half, but Lee held the Bucks to only 15 points in the second half. Watch highlights from Cluxton Breakdown: